The Pod Phoenix 45 is the latest rucksack from a brand that started life making gear in Sheffield back in the Eighties. This sack’s heritage is clear to see too, as save for the hydration pocket inside it’s a traditional single-compartment design that’s free of fussy details. It’s made from a tough canvas-like fabric that’s 65 per cent polyester and 35 per cent cotton. It’s the sort of stuff you can trample underfoot yet it still comes back asking for more. I love it! The back system is equally clutter-free, using closed cell foam that sheds snow and water easily. Throw it on and it doesn’t max out on comfort, but it’s more than comfortable enough. The Pod Phoenix 45’s lid has an internal and external pocket, and these are a good size. The side compression straps don’t have quick-release buckles, which is annoying. The floating lid can be raised and is reasonably well-designed to prevent water seeping into the main compartment.